Obituary of Benjamin Robair

BENJAMIN W. ROBAIR It is with sadness we are announcing the passing of our dad Benjamin W. Robair on November 7, 2012 at the age of 82. He passed away peacefully in Prescott, Arizona under the care of the VA and Hospice. He had a long illness with heart disease and a short battle with Alzheimer's /dementia and simply ran out of steam. He was a dad, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother, father-in-law and friend to many. Ben aka "Sonny" was born in Burlington, VT September 1, 1930 to Benjamin and Bernice Robair and lived there until he joined the Navy at 17. He met his wife Dolores O'Brien in Southern California while serving in the Navy. They had 5 children. He lived most of his life in Whittier, CA and Parker, AZ. He spent the last 10 years in Lake Havasu City, AZ. His greatest accomplishment was being a Korean War veteran, his children, business owner of Golden State Shell gas station and bar. Ben was a major league junk ball pitcher before he joined the Navy and loved watching, guiding and teaching his grandson Joshua how to pitch. Ben "never met a stranger" and his trademark was his sense of humor and storytelling. He was an Elk member for 50 years. He touched so many lives with his gift of gab, his smile and his beautiful blue eyes. He was there to always give advice or lend a shoulder to cry on. Ben was preceded in death by his wife Dolores. He is survived by his sister Claire Panno; daughters Bernice (Dan) Heinrich, Barbara (Ben) Goldberg and Belinda Robair; sons Benny (Carmen) Robair and Bill Robair; as well as his grandchildren, Trisha, Randy, Blainne, Baillie, Heather and Joshua; 5 great grandchildren; 2 very special nieces and was very close to his son-in-laws. Memorial Services will be held at Lietz-Fraze Chapel on March 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Ken Belch officiating. A celebration of his life will be immediately following. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Veterans, American Heart Association or Alzheimer's/Dementia connection of Havasu. Be worked hard, played hard, laughed a lot, embraced life and lived with enthusiasm. We will miss him! We can shed tears because he is gone or we can smile because he lived. (I know he would want us ALL to smile.:)) Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Ben's family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory